Wildlife Department Staff Beaten Up in Karachi

In Oct 2023, a wildlife department raid at the Bird Market in Saddar turned nasty when the shopkeepers confronted the officials with sticks forcing them to flee. According to Sindh Wildlife Department (SWD) Administrator, Mumtaz Soomro, a team of the department went to the Bird Market located near Empress Market in Saddar, to search for a few […]

Four Black Deer Missing from Jallo Park in Lahore

In Jan 2024, the search for four precious and rare black deer, missing from Jallo Wildlife Park in Lahore for the past four days, continues without any breakthrough. Details emerging from the investigation indicate that on the night of January 11 and 12, seven valuable black deer were stolen from Jallo Wildlife Park. While the […]

Seasonal Hunting Hurting Migratory Birds

Migratory birds from Siberia and other extremely cold regions in the north spend winters in the mild climate of Sindh. The contentious practice of legal hunting serves the dual interests of both the government, which earns substantial revenue through the issuance of licenses and the hunters, who get to pursue their seasonal hobby; however for […]

Trout Fish Rescued in Kunhar River

Devastating disease claims the lives of countless Trout fish in Kaghan Valley. In a remarkable conservation effort, officials from the Kaghan Development Authority (KDA) in Oct 2023 successfully rescued thousands of trout fish that were stranded in the shallow waters of the Kunhar River. According to officials, a significant school of rare trout fish found […]

Pakistan is Only Getting Dead Bryde Whales

In a remote area between Pasni and Shomal coastal belts known as Raini Hor, a bryde’s whale, scientifically identified as Balaenoptera brydei, found itself trapped, raising alarms about the conservation of this species on Nov 10, 2023. In a remote area between Pasni and Shomal coastal belts, specifically in Raini Hor, Balochistan, a bryde’s whale, […]

Where is our Fish Going?

As the wheels of industrialisation and urbanisation turn, the price paid by our environment becomes increasingly evident. One of the most profound effects is the alarming disappearance of natural water bodies and the subsequent threat posed to numerous aquatic species. In particular, the extinction crisis facing indigenous river fish in Pakistan is both disheartening and […]

Registration of Captive Birds by the Islamabad Wildlife Board

The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) has started the registration of all captive animals and birds in Islamabad Capital Territory to safeguard animals and birds in the wild. The aim is to ensure that no wildlife species caught are available for sale or possession either online or in the pet shops. IWMB Spokesman Umar Bilal […]

Jallo Park in Lahore Attracts Crowd

After the temporary closure of Lahore Zoo and Safari Park due to ongoing upgradation projects in late 2023, Jallo Park experienced a surge in visitors. The newly established lion safari at Jallo Forest and Wildlife Park, a first of its kind, offers a unique experience for wildlife enthusiasts. Additionally, the introduction of a zip line […]

Illegal Fishing Imperils Aqua Life

(Left) Tarbela Dam presents a mesmerising look on a sunny day; (right) a man shows off his massive fish haul. Fishermen continue to use illegal fishing techniques, including employing dangerous explosives to catch fish in Tarbela Lake, endangering precious aquatic life besides pushing rare fish species to the brink of extinction. This not only raises […]

Quack ‘Aphrodisiac’ from Lizards in Rawalpindi’s Raja Bazaar

Yasir Ali sells an oil called ‘sanda tael’, made from lizard fat, that he claims has aphrodisiac properties. PHOTO: AFP In a clamorous bazaar, hot-blooded Pakistani men seek a cold-blooded cure for their sexual ills — freshly rendered lizard fat, marinated in scorpion oil and garnished with filaments of a fiery red spice. Unsurprisingly, the […]